These days, running shoes can sometimes be a bit…loud. If you’re looking for some awesome retro color blocking, you’re in luck: Most of the major brands have something that might appeal. But if you’re craving a more subtle pair of kicks, you might have to do some digging.
In particular, it can sometimes feel like finding a solid pair of all-white running shoes is surprisingly difficult. It seems like a simple request, with solid payoff. White sneakers go with nearly any running kit so there’s no fear of clashing. They can help accentuate your summer skin without drawing too much attention to your dogs. And if your running shoes need to do double duty and take you from the track to brunch, they can elevate the crispness of any street outfit. Simply put: White running shoes supply a kind of timelessness that’s unparalleled.
Of course, color isn’t the only factor you should keep in mind when investing in a pair of runners—there’s also the shoes’ construction. “Proper running shoes have a shock-absorbing heel, relatively inflexible midsole, semi-flexible toe bed, and 10mm or shorter heel drop,” says Mohammad Rimawi, DMP, board-certified podiatrist with Manhattan Foot Specialists in New York City.
Beyond those general recommendations, you also want to keep in mind your foot type and how you plan to use the shoe, he says. Certain shoes are better for flat feet, for instance, while some will be snappy for speed work but won’t have enough cushion for long training runs.
The fact is, not all white running shoes are created equal. While some might feel great on marathon-distance jaunts, others you’re better off saving for walking and sightseeing. Here are eight all-white running shoes that can keep you looking fresh, depending on exactly what you’re looking for.
Best for flat feet: Hoka Women’s Bondi 8 — $165.00
Got feet flatter than a dating app convo with someone who claims to be “not political”? Invest in Hoka’s most foamy option: The Bondi 8. “Their supportive midsole helps provide arch support,” says Dr. Rimawi. They also have a thick cushioned heel that helps absorb shock, and a wide toe box that helps spread the impact of every step and stride, he says. The recipient of the American Podiatric Medical Association Seal of Acceptance, this white shoe is ideal for any walker or runner with collapsing arches or flat feet, and anyone prone to plantar fasciitis.
Sizes available: 5–12
Width: Regular
Weight: 8.9 ounces
- Supportive midsole for arch support
- Cushioned heel
- Wide toe box
- Chunky profile
- Some reviewers report they take a little getting used to
Best for Achilles tendonitis: Asics Gel-Kayano 29 — $120.00
Originally $160, on sale now for $120
If your Achilles tendon is prone to inflammation, or you have a history of Achilles tendonitis, Dr. Rimawi recommends the Asics Gel-Kayano 29. “They hit the mark on many fronts,” he says. “They feature a 10mm heel-to-toe drop, external heel cushioning, and deep heel cup, which all work together to decrease the load and forces that are placed on the Achilles tendon while you run.” As an added bonus, they’re as easy on your bank account as they are on the sensitive tendon: They’re currently on sale for just $120.
Sizes available: 5–13
Width: Standard
Weight: 9.5 ounces
- Affordable price point
- Extra heel cushioning
- Deep heel cup
- Some reviewers report a narrow cut
Best for road running: Brooks Levitate 6 — $150.00
Brooks might be as synonymous with running shoes as Kleenex is with tissues. For an all-white running shoe that will go the distance with you, consider the Brooks Levitate 6. These sneaks (which, admittedly, have some faint egg-yellow detailing) are equal-parts light and supportive. The reason? The DNA AMP v2 foam that makes up the midsole. This cushioning is soft enough to make your arch feel held, while also springy enough that you can run fast and long on pavement or tread. The only downside, according to some reviewers, is that while the shoe is marketed as having a medium width, they are on the narrow side.
PS: If you’re looking for a Brooks option that is even less, well, colorful, look into the Glycerin 20 or Ghost 15. Both all-white alternatives offer that comfort Brooks is known for, no matter how far or long you’re walking or running.
Sizes available: 5–12
Width: Medium
Weight: 9.5 ounces
- Light but supportive
- Hold up well for longer distances
- Some reviewers report they run narrow
Best for treadmill: Skechers Go Run Razor 4 — $145.00
Millennials may remember Skechers for their role in ‘90s fashion cannon. But the brand has evolved beyond (just) their chunky, four-wheeled roots. These days, the brand has a number of running shoes that are equal-parts supportive and fashionable (and backed by pros like Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi).
For training sessions on the treadmill, Catherine Parenteau, the 2021 US Open Pickleball Women’s Pro Doubles Champion, recommends the GOrun Razor 4. “The GOrun Razor 4 can accommodate both daily treadmill training, as well as speed work and interval training,” she says. Available in both all-white and all-black, the shoe features a highly responsive and ultra-lightweight TPU cushioning as well as removable Arch Fit® insoles that provides podiatrist-certified arch support, she says.
Sizes available: 5–11
Width: Medium
Weight: 6.3 ounces
- Lightweight cushioning
- Podiatrist-approved arch-supporting insoles
- A slightly firmer ride than more-cushioned options out there
Trendiest: On Cloudnova — $160.00
If you’re a regular on FitTok, you’ll recognize these all-white running shoes. Great for everyday wear, travel, and neighborhood miles, the Cloudnova features something called CloudTec® technology along the midsole to absorb impact and cushion your arch. Meanwhile, the rubber reinforcements along the sole support the natural forward-rolling of your foot while you glide down the road.
Sizes available: 5–11
Width: Standard
Weight: 8.6 ounces
- Promote natural forward motion
- Equally comfortable for walking and running
- The CloudTec cushioning can feel stiff under foot
Best lifestyle: No Bull White Ivory Knit Runners — $159.00
The No Bull brand has a cult-like following amongst CrossFit athletes, and more recently amongst golfers and NBA players. But actually, runners should love the sports brand, too—and more specifically, their Knit Runners. The seamless upper has a sock-like construction that allows the shoe to stretch around and hug your ankle. Weighing in at under 9 ounces, the shoe is lightweight. This is thanks, in part, to the Phylon midsole that is light as it is comfortable for short and medium-length runs.
Worth noting: While comfortable, the shoe is flat. The lack of arch support may be an issue for those who have Achilles tendonitis. If that’s you, consider investing in a pair of supportive insoles to transform these runners into a more arch-friendly option.
Sizes available: 5–11
Width: Regular
Weight: 8.9 ounces
- Sock-like upper hugs the foot and ankle
- Light
Best CrossFit trainer: Nano X3 Training Shoes — $140.00
Fun fact: The most frequently programmed CrossFit workout of the day is the 5K run. But 3.1 mile timed trial aside, running makes a regular appearance in functional fitness at all levels of the sport. Running, after all, is one of the monostructural movements programmers incorporate into daily Metcons in order to help athletes improve their cardiovascular capacity. For CrossFit workouts that feature runs, you want a trainer that will support your arch while you run, then keep you stable during any post-run movements you have to do, whether they are weighted or not.
“A shoe that you can run in… and then comfortably lift in is a rare find,” says 2023 CrossFit Games athlete James Sprague. But the Reebok Nano X3 Training Shoe checks off all the boxes for him. “The Lift and Run Chassis system in the midsole allows the heel to be solid and supported while lifting and soft and cushioned for extra responsiveness and comfort when running.”
Sizes available: 6.5–14.5
Width: Regular
Weight: 12 ounces
- Solid support for lifting
- Responsive cushion for running
- Some reviewers say they are too stiff
Most classic: Tracksmith Eliot Runner — $198.00
Tracksmith’s New England aesthetic makes these ivory sneakers look just as good with a blazer as they do with your go-to singlet. The Supercritical Pebax® insole and midsole combination cushions the terrain below your feet, so that, in the words of our reviewer, “the sole softens your stride slightly so that you can enjoy the road (or trail or sand) ahead of you while still experiencing the unrelenting joy of high energy return.”
Sizes available: 5.5–11
Width: Regular
Weight: 8-9.2 ounces (depending on size)
- Classy enough to wear with street clothes
- Allows you to feel the road beneath your feet without being stiff
- Expensive
- Shows dirt easily
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